78 NEW ZEALAND FLAX. 



-the expense attending the hackling in this colony 

 would not repay him at the price the material 

 at present obtains in England, or even were it 

 to advance to its former high price. 



At present this gentleman cannot manufacture 

 cordage at a less price than a ship from England 

 could bring it out as stores, but still at a lower, 

 rate than the Europe cordage sent out on freight 

 for sale ; in the colony it is therefore cheaper to 

 colonial vessels, and is found very durable. It 

 has been used three years and upwards as 

 running gear for shipping, and highly approved 

 of; from the flax having been sent home in an 

 uncleaned state, it has been rendered almost 

 unsaleable, and gave an opportunity for those 

 prejudiced to depreciate its value. From the 

 natural indolence of the New Zealanders, it is 

 difficult to procure the flax from them in a 

 better dressed state, until some of them are 

 taught the art of hackling it, which would be 

 advisable to be done immediately. To attempt to 

 clean the flax from the epidermis in any but 

 during the recent state, is a labour of difficulty, 

 from its close connexion with the fibres, by 

 which a great loss in weight would necessarily 

 be sustained. 



Captain P. P. King, R.N. (who may be con- 

 sidered high authority,) when on the survey of 



